Mr Nash Home After Trip To U.K., US., East

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29058, 21 November 1959, Page 12

Mr Nash Home After Trip To U.K., US., East

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, Nov. 20. Indonesia could become an important market for New Zealand produce, said the Prime Minister (Mr Nash) on his return from overseas tonight. He said the Indonesian Minister of Trade would probably visit New Zealand next year.

The biggest drawback to New Zealand marketing her primary products in Indonesia was the low income of the average Indonesian. The .country also had a shortage of overseas funds. Mr Nash visited the United States, Britain and Indonesia, while he was away. He had talks with President Eisenhower,

Mr Macmillan and addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations. On his way home, Mr Nash stopped off at Indonesia to attend a Ministerial Colombo Plan conference. Questioned about his remark in Britain as to television being introduced into New Zealand within a year, he said that he was only reiterating what had already been said in New Zealand. “It has been estimated that we shall have television in 12 to 18 months,” he said. “But the question must now be decided by the Minister of Broadcasting (Mr Boord) and the Cabinet." Mr Nash said he saw no evidence of anti-New Zealand feeling in South-East Asia because of the New Zealand Rugby Union decision to exclude Maoris from the 1960 South African tour. “The Rugby Union decision is not understood, but. there is no feeling, against the Government or the people of New Zealand,” he said. “We are as well liked as any country.” Mr Nash said the price of New Zealand butter on the British market had go'ne high enough. It would inevitably adjust itself to a lower level.

The need for a permanent High Commissioner in London had not been discussed in Britain, said Mr Nash.

The Prime Minister met the Queen, the Duke of > Edinburgh, and Princess Margaret. He did not discuss the possibility of a visit to New Zealand by Princess Margaret. * Mr Nash discussed the recent Laos and Indo-China disturbances with President Eisenhower and Mr Macmillan. “I am satisfied,” he said, "that there was no external aggression in Laos, either by Chinese or Vietnam forces.” a Asked about the possibility of S.E.A.T.O. becoming embroiled in this area, Mr Nash said New Zealand wou’d live up to its S.E.A.T.O. obligations. “But there’s no obligation to live up to,” he added.

Arrangements for Mr Nash to visit the Antarctic have yet to be completed. He does not know whether he will be going next week.